Beaudesert War Memorial facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Beaudesert War Memorial |
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Beaudesert War Memorial, 2008
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| Location | William Street, Beaudesert, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1919 – 1930s (interwar period) |
| Built | 1919–1921 |
| Official name: Beaudesert War Memorial | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600028 |
| Significant period | 1919– |
| Significant components | views to, memorial surrounds/railings, memorial – obelisk, memorial – soldier statue |
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The Beaudesert War Memorial is a special monument located on William Street in Beaudesert, Australia. It was built between 1919 and 1921 to remember the brave soldiers from the area. This important memorial is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register, which means it's a protected historical site.
Contents
Remembering Our Heroes: The Memorial's Story
The Beaudesert War Memorial was built to honor the many local men who served in the First World War. It also remembers those who fought and died in the Second World War. The memorial was designed by Standard Masonry Works from Melbourne. A Brisbane architect, A H Conrad, helped supervise its construction.
Why Was This Memorial Built?
After the First World War, many towns in Australia built memorials. This was because so many Australians had fought far from home. Sadly, about 60,000 Australians died in the war. This was a huge number for a country with only about 4 million people at the time.
These memorials became like special graves for soldiers whose bodies were buried overseas. They were also a way to show how much the country grieved. People often called them "cenotaphs," which means "empty tomb."
Honoring All Who Served
Australian war memorials are unique because they don't just remember those who died. They also honor everyone who served from a local area. This shows how proud Australians were that their army was made up entirely of volunteers. These memorials help us understand how much communities were involved in the war effort.
The "Digger" Statue
Many war memorials in Queensland feature a statue of a "digger." A digger is a nickname for an Australian soldier. These statues often show the qualities of the ideal Australian soldier: loyalty, courage, and youth. The digger statue was a very popular choice for memorials in Queensland.
Building the Beaudesert Memorial
The community of Beaudesert worked hard to raise money for the memorial. They formed a committee in 1918 to collect funds. The memorial cost about £1,340, which was a lot of money back then! This shows how much the people of Beaudesert wanted to honor their soldiers.
The memorial stands on a triangular piece of land in the middle of town. This spot has always been important in Beaudesert. A special tree that honored a local businessman, William Tutin Walker, was carefully moved to make way for the memorial.
The foundation stone for the memorial was laid on December 10, 1919. The completed memorial was officially revealed on September 28, 1921, by the Governor, Sir Matthew Nathan. Over the years, plaques have been added to remember soldiers from other conflicts, like the Malayan, Korean, Borneo, and Vietnam wars.
What the Memorial Looks Like
The Beaudesert War Memorial is a tall and impressive structure. It stands about 33 feet (10 meters) high.
The Memorial's Design
- Location: It's on a traffic island where Brisbane and William Streets meet.
- Fence: The island is surrounded by a fence made of rough stone blocks. These blocks are connected by decorative metal chains.
- Main Structure: The memorial is made of sandstone. It has a large base, called a pedestal, with a soldier statue on top. Behind the statue is a tall, pointed pillar called an obelisk.
- Lions: At two corners of the triangle, there are sandstone lion statues. They sit on stone bases and face outwards.
- Drinking Fountain: In front of one of the lions, there's a metal drinking fountain.
Details on the Pedestal
The front of the pedestal has marble plates. These plates list the names of the local men who served in the First World War. Other plates list the names of those who died in the Second World War. In total, there are 557 names on the memorial. Smaller bronze plaques remember soldiers from later conflicts.
The Digger Statue
The life-sized soldier statue stands on the front of the pedestal. He looks relaxed, with his collar unbuttoned and a pipe in his right hand. His left hand holds a rifle slung over his shoulder. He is shown as "just released from duty."
The Obelisk
Behind the soldier statue is the tall obelisk. It has bronze wreaths on each side. On the front, it says "THE GREAT WAR 1916 TO 1919" in bronze letters.
Why This Memorial is Important
The Beaudesert War Memorial is important for several reasons:
- History: It shows how Queensland's history unfolded, especially how communities reacted to the First World War. It's a record of a time when patriotism was very strong.
- Unique Design: It's one of the most detailed and unusual war memorials in Queensland. Its large size makes it a major landmark in Beaudesert.
- Community Connection: The memorial has a strong link to the Beaudesert community. It shows the big impact that major historical events had on local people. It's also a good example of the work of the stonemason W E Parsons.
Images for kids
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Beaudesert War Memorial, 2008
